knife

Chapter 537 Reward
As long as Jiang Qianren remains in Danyang, the central city of the Great Chu, with her current control over the court, even if the main force of the Tiger Army has already gone to Yong'an County, Xiang Ying and Xiong Yi are not certain that they can succeed in their rebellion.

The best outcome would be for Jiang Qian to leave Danyang.

Li Dachui had said that he would take Jiang Qian to Yunwu Mountain.

That's a great place, a solitary mountain surrounded by water, standing tall in the middle of a great river. If Jiang Qian goes there, she'll easily be cut off from news from both inside and outside the country.

The first step is to take Danyang and control Jiang Qian's trusted subordinates left there. Then, we can mobilize troops to surround Yunwu Mountain.

In that place, once you're surrounded on all sides, what good is it if you're a primordial being?

They can still surround and kill you.

With Jiang Qian dead, everything will be fine.

As for whether Jiang Qian's death would affect the border regions of Yong'an County and Ruyin County, which were under the control of Jiang Qian's confidants, Xiang Ying and his group were not too worried.

He Jiong and Han Tan are both extremely capable individuals. They would not fail to see that He Zudao is not someone they can rely on. Therefore, there is no need to worry about them joining forces with He Zudao. On the contrary, these two will definitely turn around and negotiate with Xiang Ying and his group after firmly holding onto these two prefectures.

As long as they don't make any unreasonable demands, Xiang Ying and Xiong Yi can accept them.

After all, the Chu state, which had undergone great changes, needed stability the most.

If the coup planned by Xiang Ying and Xiong Yi this time was a Chinese medicine to treat the Great Chu, then Li Dachui taking Jiang Qian away from Danyang was the catalyst for this medicine. If the catalyst is ineffective, the whole medicine cannot even be cooked, let alone have any therapeutic effect.

“Li Duhu, I think you have gotten what you wanted!” Xiong Yi said with a smile. “If the Empress does not fall, your future days will not be easy. For us, this is a matter of mutual benefit if we cooperate, and mutual loss if we separate.”

Li Dachui laughed loudly: "How much do you two seniors know about the bandits outside the Great Wall?"

Xiang Ying frowned as he looked at Li Dachui, who came from a bandit background.

“Life is tough for the bandits outside the Great Wall, so they will seize any opportunity they can get their hands on. They will try to get anything that is hopeful but difficult, and even things that seem out of reach will be tried. What if they succeed?” Li Dachui said with a smile. “How many people in this world have the opportunity to trade with you two? Moreover, this is a seller’s market, and I have the absolute upper hand. So naturally, I must make the most of this opportunity. Otherwise, when I go back, my companions will laugh at me to death.”

Xiang Ying took a deep breath: "It's not necessarily true that I can't do without you!"

“I think so!” Li Dachui laughed. “I am different from the two of you. Overthrowing Jiang Qian is the most urgent task for you. It is an arrow on the bowstring that must be released. Otherwise, if you give up halfway, it will be a disaster. If I am not mistaken, at this time, Wei’s Southwest Wolf Army is already on its way, right?”

Xiang Ying and Xiong Yi exchanged a glance, somewhat helpless. Li Dachui was absolutely right.

"Gentlemen, Jiang Qian's downfall is merely icing on the cake for me, but for you two, it's a lifeline. You can decide for yourselves which is more important!" Li Dachui continued to hammer away.

“Alright, you win. What do you want?” Xiang Ying shook his head and said, “I really can’t think of anything that you don’t have or that you desperately need right now.”

"Yes, yes!" Li Dachui said with a smile, "The Xiang family's ocean-going fleet is the ocean-going trading fleet with the most routes, the most ships, and the strongest strength. The revenue it brings to the General every year is immeasurable."

“The fleet is not going to be given to you, but if you want money, you can name your price!” Xiang Ying said.

"General, you underestimate me. How could I be the kind of person who is greedy for money!" Li Dachui said, "I heard that last year, one of the General's fleets discovered land in the vast ocean!" Xiang Ying's face changed slightly.

“The natives on this land are weak and easily defeated. After the general’s fleet discovered this place, a mere few hundred men controlled a huge area. More importantly, they discovered rich copper and silver mines on this land. I heard that the Xiang family is now recruiting people on a large scale to cross the ocean and set up camp there!” Li Dachui said.

"So you've set your sights on Japan!" Xiang Ying said. "It seems I need to reassess the intelligence capabilities of your Northern Protectorate. Only a handful of people know about this matter, yet you know so much about it!"

"It was purely an accident," Li Dachui laughed. "It was a chance encounter, General. The reward for taking Jiang Qian to Yunwu Mountain is this Fusang."

Xiang Ying was silent for a moment, then stood up, walked to the door, and opened it. "Wu'er, come here!"

Xiang Wu rushed up to Xiang Ying and said, "Go to my study and bring me the seventh secret box!"

Xiang Wu stared at Xiang Ying in astonishment: "Father!"

Xiang Ying just stared coldly at Xiang Wu. Xiang Wu was helpless, his gaze sweeping over Li Dachui, filled with anger and dissatisfaction.

Li Dachui smiled and said, "General Xiang, that's a good place. If I'm not mistaken, the Xiang family originally planned to use it as a backup plan, right?"

"We don't need a way out!" Xiong Yi glanced at Xiang Ying and said, "The Xiang family and the Xiong family have stood side by side since the founding of the Great Chu. When the country prospers, the family prospers; when the country falls, the family perishes!"

“That makes perfect sense!” Xiang Ying nodded.

"Good, I admire you!" Li Dachui gave a thumbs up: "Then let me manage this Fusang land. If it makes any progress, I will definitely invite you two to take a look."

In no time at all, Xiang Wu had brought over a box.

Xiang Ying placed the box in front of Li Dachui: "The shipping routes and nautical charts are inside. Protector Li also has an ocean-going fleet, so he can naturally find them. Within three months, I will order the entire Xiang family to withdraw, and you will take over!"

"Thank you!" Li Dachui said with a smile, looking very satisfied.

"Aren't you going to open it and take a look?"

“No need!” Li Dachui said, “I trust General Xiang’s reputation. General Xiang may kill, but he won’t lie. If he says he’ll give it to me, then it must be the real thing. But whether I can actually deliver on my promise depends on my own abilities. Am I right?”

Xiang Ying's eyes flashed. "Now I know why you were able to rise to prominence in just a few years."

“Completely different from your father, Crown Prince Zemin!” Xiong Yi shook his head as well.

"So my father lost, he lost miserably, he didn't even leave behind a grave, and now I can't even find a place to offer incense to my parents!" Li Dachui said coldly, "The past serves as a lesson for the future, how could I follow in my father's footsteps?"

"Remember, too much of a good thing is bad!"

"Thank you both for your guidance! I've taken it to heart!" Li Dachui said with a smile, "Now we can discuss the details!"

(End of this chapter)